Distal protection device and method

Abstract

An emboli capturing system captures emboli in a body lumen. A first elongate member has a proximal end and a distal end. An expandable emboli capturing device is mounted proximate the distal end of the first elongate member, and is movable between a radially expanded position and a radially contracted position. When in the expanded position, the emboli capturing device forms a basket with a proximally opening mouth. A second elongate member has a proximal and a distal end with a lumen extending therebetween. The lumen is sized to slidably receive a portion of the first elongate member. An expandable delivery device is mounted to the distal end of the second elongate member and is movable from a radially retracted position to a radially expanded position. The delivery device has a receiving end configured to receive the emboli capturing device, and retains at least the mouth of the emboli capturing device in a radially retracted position.

1. An embolic protection device, comprising:
 an elongate wire member having a proximal end and a distal end;  
 a filter coupled proximal the distal end of the elongate wire member, the filter having a wire loop adjacent the proximal end of the filter, the wire loop coupled to a proximally open mouth and a filter portion disposed distally of the proximally open mouth, the mouth having a center of cross-sectional area, the filter being eccentrically coupled on the elongate member such that the center of cross-sectional area is disposed to one side of the elongate wire member.  
 
     
     
       2. The embolic protection device of  claim 1  wherein the loop is substantially radiopaque.